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| Titanium crystal. |
The use of titanium for the military products were developed in the USA in 1950, started on an experimental aircraft X-3 Stilleto. Increased usage comes ahead of the 21st century, against the background needs of alternative material and the amplifier in between the steel and aluminum, raw material efficiency, maneuverability, increased durability, etc.
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| The U.S experimental aircraft X-3 Stileto. (Picture from: http://www1.nasa.gov/) |
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| The titanium properties. (Picture from: http://www.supraalloys.com/) |
In the United States, for example titanium material for the production of Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) M2 Bradley. Titanium is able to conserve raw materials, reduce weight, and increase the combat vehicle manuver agility up to 35 percent. The titanium layer could also increase the immunity level of the armored vehicle from the large caliber bullets, compared to using a alumnium mixture only.
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| M2 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV). (Picture from: http://www.armedforces-int.com/) |
Similarly for the fighter jet, titanium is used for materials mainstay fighter aircraft the United States today, the F-22 Raptor. The fighter jet that began to flying in 2005, with capability of ground attack, electronic warfare, and aerial photograph for an intelligence operation.
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| U.S. Air Force's F-22 Raptor. (Picture from: http://en.wikipedia.org/) |
The United States also had been to produce and operate long-distance reconnaissance aircraft SR-71 Blackbird. In order to have a long durability, nimble and high cruising distance, the SR-71 made from 90 percent titanium.
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| Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird. (Picture from: http://www.flightglobal.com/) |
While from Asia, People's Republic of China (PRC) also uses titanium as a material for their mainstay production of air to surface missiles and medium range of anti surface ship YJ-91 (Ying Ji 91) and YJ-93. Titanium material is used to optimize the maneuver by relying on wing, as well as the optimization of control when it flying low.
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| YJ-91/Kh-31P missile and Su-30MKK fighter in static display. (Picture from: http://www.sinodefence.com/) |
YJ-91 missile that imitated by Chinese from the Russian-made Kh-31P in 1996, it has high speed, and its range that could be upgraded from standard to 110 km, and easily controlled to destroy the target.
In 2005, YJ-91 developed further into YJ-93, is now a mainstay because it is considered more applicable and according to the needs of the country. In addition the YJ-93 missiles will be launched from aircraft, it also could be launched from submarines.
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| J-16 is a Chinese version of the Russian Fighter - Su-30MK2. (Picture from: http://asian-defence-news.blogspot.com/) |
Almost all the Russian modern fighter aircraft, including its replica that made in China, can use the Kh-31P missile, YJ-91 and YJ-93. For example, the MiG-27 and MiG-29, Sukhoi (Su) 27 and Su-30, and Su-33 (or the PRC version with the name of the Shenyang J-11, J-15 and J-16), which generally can be flown from the aircraft carrier.
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| Chinese J-20 J-XX Fifth Generation Stealth Fighter. (Picture from: http://www.asian-defence.net/) |
The PRC reportedly, currently developing their latest fighter jet called the J-20, which uses a lot of titanium materials. From its shape, the J-20 has a somewhat similar design and can be a rival for the F-22 Raptor. The
aircrafts can be flown from the aircraft carriers and carrying sophisticated
missiles, has now become a mainstay of the superpowers to
increase their military operations coverage to other countries. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | KODAR SOLIHAT | PIKIRAN RAKYAT 27052013]
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